2015 Varsity Cup
Countries	South Africa
Date	9 February – 13 April 2015
Champions	UFS Shimlas (1st title)
Runners-up	NWU Pukke
Relegated	None
Matches played	31
Tries scored	231 (average 7.5 per match)
Top point scorer	Rhyno Smith (101)
Top try scorer	Daniel Maartens / Gerhard Olivier (8)
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South African Rugby 2015
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The 2015 Varsity Cup was contested from 9 February to 13 April 2015. The tournament (also known as the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International for sponsorship reasons) was the eighth season of the Varsity Cup, an annual inter-university rugby union competition featuring eight South African universities.

The tournament was won by UFS Shimlas, who beat NWU Pukke 63–33 in the final played on 13 April 2015. No team was relegated to the second-tier Varsity Shield competition for 2016.

Competition rules and information

There were eight participating universities in the 2015 Varsity Cup. These teams played each other once over the course of the season, either home or away.

Teams received four points for a win and two points for a draw. Bonus points were awarded to teams that scored four or more tries in a game, as well as to teams that lost a match by seven points or less. Teams were ranked by log points, then points difference (points scored less points conceded).

The top four teams qualified for the title play-offs. In the semi-finals, the team that finished first had home advantage against the team that finished fourth, while the team that finished second had home advantage against the team that finished third. The winners of these semi-finals played each other in the final, at the home venue of the higher-placed team.

There was no relegation to the Varsity Shield at the end of the season.

The 2015 Varsity Cup used a different scoring system than the common scoring system. Tries were worth five points as usual, but conversions were worth three points instead of two, while penalties and drop goals were only worth two points instead of three.^[1]

All Varsity Cup games also had two referees officiating each game,^[2] props' jerseys featured a special gripping patch to ensure better binding, intended to reduce collapsing scrums^[3] and the mark was extended to the entire field.^[4]

The Varsity Cup also reintroduced the White Card system from 2015. Under this system, either team's coach or captain could refer incidents for further review, similar to the Umpire Decision Review System used in cricket. They could have incidents reviewed that they believed were either given incorrectly or went unnoticed by the on-field referees. Each team was entitled to one review in each half of the match; if a review proved successful, the team retained their white card review for that half, but if it was unsuccessful, they lost the right to further reviews for the remainder of the half.^[5]

Teams

Location of teams in the 2015 Varsity Cup

The following teams took part in the 2015 Varsity Cup competition:

Team name	University	Stadium
2015 Varsity Cup teams
CUT Ixias	Central University of Technology	CUT Stadium, Bloemfontein
Maties	Stellenbosch University	Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
NMMU Madibaz	Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University	NMMU Stadium, Port Elizabeth
NWU Pukke	North-West University	Fanie du Toit Sport Ground, Potchefstroom
UCT Ikey Tigers	University of Cape Town	UCT Rugby Fields, Cape Town
UFS Shimlas	University of the Free State	Shimla Park, Bloemfontein
UJ	University of Johannesburg	UJ Stadium, Johannesburg
UP Tuks	University of Pretoria	LC de Villiers Stadium, Pretoria

Standings

The final league standings for the 2015 Varsity Cup were:^[6]

Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	TA	TB	LB	Pts
2015 Varsity Cup standings
1	UP Tuks	7	5	1	1	295	119	+176	41	15	7	1	30
2	UFS Shimlas	7	6	1	0	227	116	+111	32	16	4	0	30
3	UCT Ikey Tigers	7	4	1	2	258	157	+101	32	23	4	0	22
4	NWU Pukke	7	3	1	3	212	184	+28	30	25	5	2	21
5	Maties	7	3	2	2	177	171	+6	24	23	4	1	21
6	UJ	7	3	0	4	113	113	0	17	14	2	1	15
7	NMMU Madibaz	7	1	0	6	131	220	−89	19	31	2	1	7
8	CUT Ixias	7	0	0	7	63	396	−333	9	57	0	0	0

Legend and competition rules

Legend:
	Top four teams; qualify to semi-finals.	P = Games played, W = Games won, D = Games drawn, L = Games lost, PF = Points for, PA = Points against, PD = Points difference, TF = Tries for, TA = Tries against, TB = Try bonus points, LB = Losing bonus points, Pts = Log points
	No relegation.

Competition rules:
Play-offs: The top four teams qualify to the semi-finals. The first-placed team will host the fourth-placed team and the second-placed team will host the third-placed team. The higher-ranked semi-final winner will then host the lower-ranked semi-final winner in the final. Points breakdown: * 4 points for a win * 2 points for a draw * 1 bonus point for a loss by seven points or less * 1 bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match

Round-by-round

The table below shows each team's progression throughout the season. For each round, their cumulative points total is shown with the overall log position in brackets:

Team Progression – 2015 Varsity Cup
Team	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	R6	R7	Semi	Final
UP Tuks	3 (5th)	8 (1st)	13 (1st)	15 (2nd)	20 (1st)	25 (1st)	30 (1st)	Lost	—
UFS Shimlas	3 (5th)	7 (3rd)	12 (2nd)	16 (1st)	20 (2nd)	25 (2nd)	30 (2nd)	Won	Won
UCT Ikey Tigers	3 (3rd)	3 (7th)	8 (5th)	13 (5th)	18 (3rd)	18 (4th)	22 (3rd)	Lost	—
NWU Pukke	5 (2nd)	8 (2nd)	9 (4th)	14 (4th)	14 (5th)	19 (3rd)	21 (4th)	Won	Lost
Maties	3 (3rd)	6 (5th)	6 (7th)	7 (6th)	11 (6th)	16 (5th)	21 (5th)	—	—
UJ	5 (1st)	5 (6th)	9 (3rd)	14 (3rd)	15 (4th)	15 (6th)	15 (6th)	—	—
NMMU Madibaz	1 (7th)	6 (4th)	6 (6th)	6 (7th)	7 (7th)	7 (7th)	7 (7th)	—	—
CUT Ixias	0 (8th)	0 (8th)	0 (8th)	0 (8th)	0 (8th)	0 (8th)	0 (8th)	—	—

Key:	win	draw	loss

Fixtures

The 2015 Varsity Cup fixtures were released as follows:^[7]

All times are South African (GMT+2).

Round one

	9 February 2015	NWU Pukke	36–26	NMMU Madibaz	Fanie du Toit Sport Ground, Potchefstroom
	16:45	Try: Rhyno Smith 13' Rowayne Beukman 18' Jeandré Rudolph 40' Dalen Goliath 54' Dean Stokes 73' penalty try 80' Con: Dillon Smit (0/2) Rhyno Smith 55' (1/2) Warren Gilbert 80' (1/2) Cards: Loftus Morrison 33' to 43' Johnny Welthagen 57' to 67'	Report^[8] Scoreboard^[9]	Try: CJ Velleman 36' Brian Skosana 51' Tythan Adams 58' Yamkela Ngam 68' Con: Ruan Allerston 52', 59' (2/4) Cards: Brian Skosana 29' to 39' Andisa Ntsila 80'	Referee: Quinton Immelman & Cwengile Jadezweni

	9 February 2015	CUT Ixias	10–46	UJ	CUT Stadium, Bloemfontein
	18:30	Try: Anrich Bitzi 8' Dean Kouprihanoff 58' Con: Naudé van Biljon (0/1) Duan Pretorius (0/1)	Report^[10] Scoreboard^[11]	Try: Kobus Porter 2', 6' Aphiwe Dyantyi 31' penalty try 40' Phanta Qinisile 44' Andries Oosthuizen 53', 66' Jaco Fourie 80' Con: Jamie Campbell 7', 40' (2/6) Jaco Fourie (0/2)	Attendance: 3,000 Referee: Lourens van der Merwe & Jaco Kotze

	9 February 2015	UFS Shimlas	29–29	UP Tuks	Shimla Park, Bloemfontein
	18:30	Try: Niell Jordaan 9' Gerhard Olivier 39' Maputha Dolo 59' Conraad van Vuuren 65' Con: Niel Marais 10', 60', 66' (3/4)	Report^[12] Scoreboard^[13]	Try: Riaan Britz 4' Duncan Matthews 31' Ryan Nell 45' Dan Kriel 54' Con: Joshua Stander 5', 32', 46' (3/4)	Attendance: 8,000 Referee: Pro Legoete & Jaco Pretorius

	9 February 2015	UCT Ikey Tigers	32–32	Maties	UCT Rugby Fields, Cape Town
	19:00	Try: Dylan Sage 4' Mark Prior 43' Guy Alexander 72' penalty try 77' Con: Warren Seals 5', 44', 73', 78' (4/4)	Report^[14] Scoreboard^[15]	Try: JP Lewis 39', 56' Kobus van Dyk 52' Craig Barry 66' Con: Ernst Stapelberg 40' (1/1) Brandon Thomson 53', 57', 67' (3/3) Pen: Brandon Thomson (0/1)	Referee: Francois Pretorius & Rodney Boneparte

Round two

	16 February 2015	NMMU Madibaz	34–13	CUT Ixias	NMMU Stadium, Port Elizabeth
	16:45	Try: Enrico Acker 7', 21' Devon Lailvaux 32', 63' Tythan Adams 48' Con: Ruan Allerston 22', 49', 64' (3/5) Cards: Arno Ebersohn 51' to 61' CJ Velleman 51' to 61' Tyler Paul 53' to 63' Steven Hansel 66' to 76' Tythan Adams 74'	Report^[16] Scoreboard^[17]	Try: Ali Mgijima 67' Masego Toolo 70' Con: Naudé van Biljon (0/1) Jesse du Toit 71' (1/1) Cards: Frans Sisita 26' to 36'	Referee: Pro Legoete & Jaco Pretorius

	16 February 2015	UP Tuks	39–24	UCT Ikey Tigers	LC de Villiers Stadium, Pretoria
	18:30	Try: Jermaine Kleinsmith 3', 48' Dan Kriel 29' Ruan Steenkamp 45', 59' Nqoba Mxoli 78' Con: Joshua Stander 4', 30', 49' (3/5) Dewald Human (0/1)	Report^[18] Scoreboard^[19]	Try: Robin Murray 56' Guy Alexander 67' Paul Cohen 76' Con: Warren Seals 57', 67', 77' (3/3)	Referee: Quinton Immelman & Cwengile Jadezweni

	16 February 2015	UJ	0–24	UFS Shimlas	UJ Stadium, Johannesburg
	18:30	Cards: Kyle van Dalen 60'	Report^[20] Scoreboard^[21]	Try: Conraad van Vuuren 49' penalty try 60' Nico Lee 70' Con: Niel Marais 50', 61', 71' (3/3) Cards: Tienie Burger 38' to 50'	Attendance: 6,000 Referee: Oregopotse Rametsi & Archie Sehlako

	16 February 2015	Maties	26–26	NWU Pukke	Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
	19:00	Try: Kobus van Dyk 9' Beyers de Villiers 14', 29' Ian Groenewald 78' Con: Koos Loubser 10' (1/1) Ernst Stapelberg (0/1) Brandon Thomson 79' (1/1) Cards: Ernst Stapelberg 5' to 15'	Report^[22] Scoreboard^[23]	Try: Dillon Smit 1' penalty try 5' Rhyno Smith 56' Dean Stokes 66' Con: Rhyno Smith 2', 6' (2/4) Cards: Jeandré Rudolph 28' to 38'	Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys & Tahla Ntshakaza

Round three

	23 February 2015	CUT Ixias	0–57	UFS Shimlas	CUT Stadium, Bloemfontein
	16:45	Cards: Gerard Baard 38' Boetie Maketlo 76'	Report^[24] Scoreboard^[25]	Try: Arthur Williams 1' Gerhard Olivier 4', 8' Marco Klopper 25' Vuyani Maqina 27', 32' Daniel Maartens 48', 77' Niell Jordaan 79' Con: Niel Marais 2', 5', 26', 49' (4/7) Stephan Janse van Rensburg (0/2)	Referee: Quinton Immelman & Cwengile Jadezweni

	23 February 2015	UP Tuks	53–8	Maties	LC de Villiers Stadium, Pretoria
	19:00	Try: Jannes Kirsten 14' Wiaan Liebenberg 21' Reniel Hugo 24' Rudolph Smith 32' Dewald Human 41' Jermaine Kleinsmith 50' Nqoba Mxoli 70' Con: Joshua Stander 22', 24', 33', 42', 51', 71' (6/7)	Report^[26] Scoreboard^[27]	Try: JP Lewis 17' Con: Brandon Thomson 18' (1/1)	Referee: Lourens van der Merwe & Jaco Kotze

	23 February 2015	UCT Ikey Tigers	40–13	NMMU Madibaz	UCT Rugby Fields, Cape Town
	18:30	Try: Warren Seals 7' James Alexander 38' Guy Alexander 45' Jason Klaasen 50' Luke Stringer 80' Con: Warren Seals 8', 39', 46', 51', 81' (5/5) Cards: Chad Solomon 65' to 75'	Report^[28] Scoreboard^[29]	Try: Tyler Paul 28' Warrick Venter 74' Con: Ruan Allerston 29' (1/1) Jarryd Buys (0/1)	Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys & Tahla Ntshakaza

	23 February 2015	UJ	10–8	NWU Pukke	UJ Stadium, Johannesburg
	18:30	Try: Kobus Porter 12' Con: Jaco Fourie 13' (1/1) Pen: Jaco Fourie 40' (1/1) Cards: Werner Lourens 31' Nico du Plessis 37'	Report^[30] Scoreboard^[31]	Try: Dalen Goliath 70' Con: Rhyno Smith 71' (1/1) Pen: Rhyno Smith (0/1)	Attendance: 8,000 Referee: Francois Pretorius & Rodney Boneparte

Round four

	2 March 2015	UCT Ikey Tigers	90–8	CUT Ixias	UCT Rugby Fields, Cape Town
	16:45	Try: Jason Klaasen 3' Warren Seals 9', 41' Ryan Dugmore 17', 68' Khanyo Ngcukana 31', 79' Chad Solomon 48' Lihleli Xoli 54' Dylan Sage 57' Guy Schwikkard 65' Luke Stringer 67' Con: Warren Seals 10', 18', 32', 42' (4/5) Tom Bednall 49', 55', 58', 66', 69', 80' (6/7) Cards: Dylan Sage 36' to 45'	Report^[32] Scoreboard^[33]	Try: Dean Kouprihanoff 77' Con: Arrie Vosloo 78' (1/1)	Referee: Francois Pretorius & Rodney Boneparte

	2 March 2015	NMMU Madibaz	13–42	UJ	NMMU Stadium, Port Elizabeth
	19:00	Try: CJ Velleman 2' Yamkela Ngam 42' Con: Steven Hansel 3' (1/2)	Report^[34] Scoreboard^[35]	Try: Kobus Porter 9' Robert de Bruyn 12', 47' Adrian Vermeulen 36' Wian Conradie 68' penalty try 75' Con: Jaco Fourie 10', 37', 69' (3/5) Jamie Campbell 76' (1/1) Cards: David Antonites 45' to 55'	Referee: Lourens van der Merwe & Jaco Kotze

	2 March 2015	NWU Pukke	42–37	UP Tuks	Fanie du Toit Sport Ground, Potchefstroom
	18:30	Try: Dalen Goliath 10' Dean Stokes 32', 39' Dillon Smit 58' Marno Redelinghuys 77' Con: Rhyno Smith 11', 33', 40', 59', 78' (5/5) Pen: Rhyno Smith 13' (1/2) Cards: Rhyno Smith 19' to 29' Mogau Mabokela 66' to 76'	Report^[36] Scoreboard^[37]	Try: Wiaan Liebenberg 18' André Warner 25' Clyde Davids 28' Damian van Wyk 73' Jaco Visagie 79' Con: Joshua Stander 19', 29', 74', 80' (4/5)	Attendance: 10,000 Referee: Oregopotse Rametsi & Archie Sehlako

	2 March 2015	UFS Shimlas	21–16	Maties	Shimla Park, Bloemfontein
	18:30	Try: Niel Marais 5' AJ Coertzen 20' Daniel Maartens 64' Con: Niel Marais 6', 21' (2/3) Pen: Niel Marais (0/1) Cards: Henco Venter 80'	Report^[38] Scoreboard^[39]	Try: John-Hubert Meyer 14' Bjorn Bernardo 26' Con: Ernst Stapelberg 15', 27' (2/2)	Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys & Tahla Ntshakaza

Round five

	9 March 2015	Maties	16–15	UJ	Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
	16:45	Try: Beyers de Villiers 58' Jacobus van der Merwe 69' Con: Ernst Stapelberg 59' (1/1) Brandon Thomson 70' (1/1)	Report^[40] Scoreboard^[41]	Try: Adrian Vermeulen 3' Bradley Moolman 51' Con: Jaco Fourie 4' (1/2) Pen: Jaco Fourie 37' (1/2)	Referee: Lourens van der Merwe & Jaco Kotze

	9 March 2015	NWU Pukke	21–40	UCT Ikey Tigers	Fanie du Toit Sport Ground, Potchefstroom
	19:00	Try: Jeandré Rudolph 5' Rhyno Smith 12' Johan Deysel 38' Con: Rhyno Smith 13', 39' (2/3) Cards: Wilmar Arnoldi 78'	Report^[42] Scoreboard^[43]	Try: Lihleli Xoli 2' Jason Klaasen 16', 26', 78' Khanyo Ngcukana 43' Con: Warren Seals 3', 17', 27', 44', 79' (5/5) Pen: Warren Seals (0/1)	Referee: Pro Legoete & Jaco Pretorius

	9 March 2015	NMMU Madibaz	21–23	UFS Shimlas	NMMU Stadium, Port Elizabeth
	18:30	Try: Jarryd Buys 27' Tythan Adams 51' Tyler Paul 66' Con: Steven Hansel 28', 67' (2/3) Cards: CJ Velleman 10' to 20'	Report^[44] Scoreboard^[45]	Try: Fiffy Rampeta 3' Teunis Nieuwoudt 11' Renier Botha 19' Con: Niel Marais 4', 12' (2/3) Pen: Niel Marais 81' (1/2)	Referee: Francois Pretorius & Rodney Boneparte

	9 March 2015	UP Tuks	63–8	CUT Ixias	LC de Villiers Stadium, Pretoria
	18:30	Try: Jannes Kirsten 1' Dayan van der Westhuizen 9' Jaco Visagie 26' JT Jackson 35' Jermaine Kleinsmith 38' Reniel Hugo 46' Clyde Davids 50' Dan Kriel 57' Jan Enslin 64' Con: Dewald Human 10', 36', 39', 47', 50', 58' (6/9)	Report^[46] Scoreboard^[47]	Try: Duan Pretorius 43' Con: Duan Pretorius 44' (1/1)	Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen & Ben Crouse

Round six

	16 March 2015	UFS Shimlas	44–24	UCT Ikey Tigers	Shimla Park, Bloemfontein
	16:45	Try: Gerhard Olivier 1', 36', 59' Joe van der Hoogt 16' Daniel Maartens 19', 28' Boela Venter 74' Con: Niel Marais 17', 20', 38' (3/7)	Report^[48] Scoreboard^[49]	Try: Lihleli Xoli 25', 65' Guy Schwikkard 56' Con: Nick Holton 26', 57', 66' (3/3)	Attendance: 2,000 Referee: Lourens van der Merwe & Jaco Kotze

	16 March 2015	UJ	0–34	UP Tuks	UJ Stadium, Johannesburg
	19:00		Report^[50] Scoreboard^[51]	Try: Dan Kriel 23' Dayan van der Westhuizen 51' JT Jackson 60' Joshua Stander 67' Andrew Beerwinkel 74' Con: Joshua Stander 61', 68', 74' (3/5)	Referee: Jaco Pretorius & Tahla Ntshakaza

	16 March 2015	Maties	26–16	NMMU Madibaz	Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
	18:30	Try: Beyers de Villiers 4' Kobus van Dyk 48' Niel Oelofse 55' Michael Muller 68' Con: Brandon Thomson 56', 69' (2/4)	Report^[52] Scoreboard^[53]	Try: Devon Lailvaux 11' Andisa Ntsila 44' Con: Steven Hansel 12', 45' (2/2) Cards: Andisa Ntsila 48'	Referee: Quinton Immelman & Cwengile Jadezweni

	16 March 2015	CUT Ixias	16–53	NWU Pukke	CUT Stadium, Bloemfontein
	18:30	Try: Len Noort 12' Duan Pretorius 70' Con: Duan Pretorius 13', 71' (2/2)	Report^[54] Scoreboard^[55]	Try: Dillon Smit 5' Rhyno Smith 16' Rowayne Beukman 19', 46' Dean Stokes 25' Molotsi Bouwer 67' Loftus Morrison 80' Con: Rhyno Smith 6', 20', 26', 47', 68', 80' (6/7)	Attendance: 2,000 Referee: Francois Pretorius & Rodney Boneparte

Round seven

	23 March 2015	NMMU Madibaz	8–40	UP Tuks	NMMU Stadium, Port Elizabeth
	16:45	Try: Brian Skosana 75' Con: Steven Hansel 76' (1/1)	Report^[56] Scoreboard^[57]	Try: Wiaan Liebenberg 6', 67' Reniel Hugo 44' Clyde Davids 62' Riaan Britz 79' Con: Joshua Stander 7', 45', 63' (3/3) Dewald Human 68', 80' (2/2)	Referee: Quinton Immelman & Cwengile Jadezweni

	23 March 2015	UFS Shimlas	29–26	NWU Pukke	Shimla Park, Bloemfontein
	19:00	Try: Elandré Huggett 9' Niell Jordaan 18' Gerhard Olivier 40', 65' Con: AJ Coertzen 10', 19', 40' (3/4)	Report^[58] Scoreboard^[59]	Try: Dalen Goliath 15' Dillon Smit 43' Johan Deysel 69', 75' Con: Rhyno Smith 44', 76' (2/4)	Referee: Francois Pretorius & Rodney Boneparte

	23 March 2015	UCT Ikey Tigers	8–0	UJ	UCT Rugby Fields, Cape Town
	18:30	Try: Jason Klaasen 3' Con: Warren Seals 4' (1/1) Pen: Warren Seals (0/1)	Report^[60] Scoreboard^[61]		Referee: Lourens van der Merwe & Jaco Kotze

	23 March 2015	CUT Ixias	8–53	Maties	CUT Stadium, Bloemfontein
	18:30	Try: Lethole Mokoena 34' Con: Duan Pretorius 35' (1/1) Cards: Mosego Toolo 16' to 26' Duan Pretorius 59' to 71'	Report^[62] Scoreboard^[63]	Try: Bjorn Bernardo 4' Coenraad Fick 18', 31', 61' Paul Streicher 54' Kobus van Dyk 73' Derick Linde 76' Con: Brandon Thomson 5', 19', 32', 55' (4/5) Ernst Stapelberg 74', 77' (2/2)	Attendance: 1,500 Referee: Pro Legoete & Jaco Pretorius

Semi-finals

	30 March 2015	UFS Shimlas	21–10	UCT Ikey Tigers	Shimla Park, Bloemfontein
	16:45	Try: Niell Jordaan 10' Daniel Maartens 28' Maphutha Dolo 61' Con: Niel Marais 11', 29' (2/3) Pen: Niel Marais (0/1)	Report^[64] Scoreboard^[65]	Try: Jason Klaasen 18' Chad Solomon 37' Con: Warren Seals (0/2) Cards: Lihleli Xoli 72'	Referee: Pro Legoete & Jaco Pretorius

	30 March 2015	UP Tuks	28–29	NWU Pukke	LC de Villiers Stadium, Pretoria
	19:00	Try: Wiaan Liebenberg 12' JT Jackson 23' Dan Kriel 46' Clyde Davids 64' Riaan Britz 71' Con: Joshua Stander 47' (1/4) Dewald Human (0/1)	Report^[66] Scoreboard^[67]	Try: Marno Redelinghuys 15' Jeandré Rudolph 28' Dillon Smit 57' Johnny Welthagen 77' Con: Rhyno Smith 20' (1/3) Dillon Smit (0/1) Pen: Rhyno Smith 21', 26', 39' (3/3) Cards: Jeandré Rudolph 9'	Referee: Rodney Boneparte & Francois Pretorius

Final

	13 April 2015	UFS Shimlas	63–33	NWU Pukke	Shimla Park, Bloemfontein
	19:00	Try: Joe van der Hoogt 7' Niell Jordaan 23' Maphutha Dolo 34', 70' Daniel Maartens 38', 74' Nico Lee 42', 54' Niel Marais 68' Con: Niel Marais 8', 35', 43', 55', 68', 75' (6/9)	Report^[68] Scoreboard^[69]"	Try: Malherbe Swart 9' Johan Deysel 11' Jeandré Rudolph 48' Rowayne Beukman 82' Con: Rhyno Smith 10', 12', 83' (3/4) Pen: Rhyno Smith 4', 27' (2/2) Cards: Marno Redelinghuys 6' to 17' Jeandré Rudolph 31' to 41'	Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys & Tahla Ntshakaza

Honours

The honour roll for the 2015 Varsity Cup was as follows:

2015 Varsity Cup Honours
Champions:	UFS Shimlas (1st title)
Player That Rocks:	Rhyno Smith, NWU Pukke
Forward That Rocks:	Jason Klaasen, UCT Ikey Tigers
Back That Rocks:	AJ Coertzen, UFS Shimlas
Top Try Scorers:	Daniel Maartens, UFS Shimlas / Gerhard Olivier, UFS Shimlas (8)
Top Points Scorer:	Rhyno Smith, NWU Pukke (101)

Players

Player statistics

The following table contain points which have been scored in games in the 2015 Varsity Cup season:^[70]

All point scorers
No	Player	Team	T	C	P	DG	Pts
1	Rhyno Smith	NWU Pukke	4	23	6	0	101
2	Niel Marais	UFS Shimlas	2	25	1	0	87
3	Warren Seals	UCT Ikey Tigers	3	22	0	0	81
4	Joshua Stander	UP Tuks	1	23	0	0	74
5	Daniel Maartens	UFS Shimlas	8	0	0	0	40
5	Gerhard Olivier	UFS Shimlas	8	0	0	0	40
7	Brandon Thomson	Maties	0	12	0	0	36
8	Jason Klaasen	UCT Ikey Tigers	7	0	0	0	35
9	Dewald Human	UP Tuks	1	8	0	0	29
10	Niell Jordaan	UFS Shimlas	5	0	0	0	25
	Dan Kriel	UP Tuks	5	0	0	0	25
	Wiaan Liebenberg	UP Tuks	5	0	0	0	25
	Dillon Smit	NWU Pukke	5	0	0	0	25
	Dean Stokes	NWU Pukke	5	0	0	0	25
15	Jaco Fourie	UJ	1	5	2	0	24
16	Duan Pretorius	CUT Ixias	2	4	0	0	22
17	Rowayne Beukman	NWU Pukke	4	0	0	0	20
	Clyde Davids	UP Tuks	4	0	0	0	20
	Beyers de Villiers	Maties	4	0	0	0	20
	Johan Deysel	NWU Pukke	4	0	0	0	20
	Maphutha Dolo	UFS Shimlas	4	0	0	0	20
	Dalen Goliath	NWU Pukke	4	0	0	0	20
	Jermaine Kleinsmith	UP Tuks	4	0	0	0	20
	Kobus Porter	UJ	4	0	0	0	20
	Jeandré Rudolph	NWU Pukke	4	0	0	0	20
	Kobus van Dyk	Maties	4	0	0	0	20
	Lihleli Xoli	UCT Ikey Tigers	4	0	0	0	20
28	Ruan Allerston	NMMU Madibaz	0	6	0	0	18
	Tom Bednall	UCT Ikey Tigers	0	6	0	0	18
	Steven Hansel	NMMU Madibaz	0	6	0	0	18
	Ernst Stapelberg	Maties	0	6	0	0	18
32	Tythan Adams	NMMU Madibaz	3	0	0	0	15
	Guy Alexander	UCT Ikey Tigers	3	0	0	0	15
	Riaan Britz	UP Tuks	3	0	0	0	15
	Coenraad Fick	Maties	3	0	0	0	15
	Reniel Hugo	UP Tuks	3	0	0	0	15
	JT Jackson	UP Tuks	3	0	0	0	15
	Devon Lailvaux	NMMU Madibaz	3	0	0	0	15
	Nico Lee	UFS Shimlas	3	0	0	0	15
	JP Lewis	Maties	3	0	0	0	15
	Khanyo Ngcukana	UCT Ikey Tigers	3	0	0	0	15
42	AJ Coertzen	UFS Shimlas	1	3	0	0	14
43	Enrico Acker	NMMU Madibaz	2	0	0	0	10
	Bjorn Bernardo	Maties	2	0	0	0	10
	Robert de Bruyn	UJ	2	0	0	0	10
	Ryan Dugmore	UCT Ikey Tigers	2	0	0	0	10
	Dean Kouprihanoff	CUT Ixias	2	0	0	0	10
	Jannes Kirsten	UP Tuks	2	0	0	0	10
	Vuyani Maqina	UFS Shimlas	2	0	0	0	10
	Nqoba Mxoli	UP Tuks	2	0	0	0	10
	Yamkela Ngam	NMMU Madibaz	2	0	0	0	10
	Andries Oosthuizen	UJ	2	0	0	0	10
	Tyler Paul	NMMU Madibaz	2	0	0	0	10
	Marno Redelinghuys	NWU Pukke	2	0	0	0	10
	Dylan Sage	UCT Ikey Tigers	2	0	0	0	10
	Guy Schwikkard	UCT Ikey Tigers	2	0	0	0	10
	Chad Solomon	UCT Ikey Tigers	2	0	0	0	10
	Brian Skosana	NMMU Madibaz	2	0	0	0	10
	Ruan Steenkamp	UP Tuks	2	0	0	0	10
	Luke Stringer	UCT Ikey Tigers	2	0	0	0	10
	Joe van der Hoogt	UFS Shimlas	2	0	0	0	10
	Dayan van der Westhuizen	UP Tuks	2	0	0	0	10
	Conraad van Vuuren	UFS Shimlas	2	0	0	0	10
	CJ Velleman	NMMU Madibaz	2	0	0	0	10
	Adrian Vermeulen	UJ	2	0	0	0	10
	Jaco Visagie	UP Tuks	2	0	0	0	10
67	Jamie Campbell	UJ	0	3	0	0	9
67	Nick Holton	UCT Ikey Tigers	0	3	0	0	9
69	James Alexander	UCT Ikey Tigers	1	0	0	0	5
	Craig Barry	Maties	1	0	0	0	5
	Andrew Beerwinkel	UP Tuks	1	0	0	0	5
	Anrich Bitzi	CUT Ixias	1	0	0	0	5
	Renier Botha	UFS Shimlas	1	0	0	0	5
	Molotsi Bouwer	NWU Pukke	1	0	0	0	5
	Jarryd Buys	NMMU Madibaz	1	0	0	0	5
	Paul Cohen	UCT Ikey Tigers	1	0	0	0	5
	Wian Conradie	UJ	1	0	0	0	5
	Aphiwe Dyantyi	UJ	1	0	0	0	5
	Jan Enslin	UP Tuks	1	0	0	0	5
	Ian Groenewald	Maties	1	0	0	0	5
	Elandré Huggett	UFS Shimlas	1	0	0	0	5
	Marco Klopper	UFS Shimlas	1	0	0	0	5
	Derick Linde	Maties	1	0	0	0	5
	Duncan Matthews	UP Tuks	1	0	0	0	5
	John-Hubert Meyer	Maties	1	0	0	0	5
	Ali Mgijima	CUT Ixias	1	0	0	0	5
	Lethole Mokoena	CUT Ixias	1	0	0	0	5
	Bradley Moolman	UJ	1	0	0	0	5
	Loftus Morrison	NWU Pukke	1	0	0	0	5
	Michael Muller	Maties	1	0	0	0	5
	Robin Murray	UCT Ikey Tigers	1	0	0	0	5
	Ryan Nell	UP Tuks	1	0	0	0	5
	Teunis Nieuwoudt	UFS Shimlas	1	0	0	0	5
	Len Noort	CUT Ixias	1	0	0	0	5
	Andisa Ntsila	NMMU Madibaz	1	0	0	0	5
	Niel Oelofse	Maties	1	0	0	0	5
	Mark Prior	UCT Ikey Tigers	1	0	0	0	5
	Phanta Qinisile	UJ	1	0	0	0	5
	Fiffy Rampeta	UFS Shimlas	1	0	0	0	5
	Rudolph Smith	UP Tuks	1	0	0	0	5
	Paul Streicher	Maties	1	0	0	0	5
	Malherbe Swart	NWU Pukke	1	0	0	0	5
	Masego Toolo	CUT Ixias	1	0	0	0	5
	Jacobus van der Merwe	Maties	1	0	0	0	5
	Damian van Wyk	UP Tuks	1	0	0	0	5
	Boela Venter	UFS Shimlas	1	0	0	0	5
	Warrick Venter	NMMU Madibaz	1	0	0	0	5
	André Warner	UP Tuks	1	0	0	0	5
	Johnny Welthagen	NWU Pukke	1	0	0	0	5
	Arthur Williams	UFS Shimlas	1	0	0	0	5
111	Jesse du Toit	CUT Ixias	0	1	0	0	3
	Warren Gilbert	NWU Pukke	0	1	0	0	3
	Koos Loubser	Maties	0	1	0	0	3
	Arrie Vosloo	CUT Ixias	0	1	0	0	3
—	penalty try	NWU Pukke	2	0	0	0	10
		UJ	2	0	0	0	10
		UCT Ikey Tigers	1	0	0	0	5
		UFS Shimlas	1	0	0	0	5

Squad lists

The teams released the following squad lists:

CUT Ixias^[71]

Forwards

Gerard Baard
Anrich Bitzi
Daneel Botes
Fanie Coetzer
Jozua de Jager
Jean-Claude Fourie
Dean Kouprihanoff
Boetie Maketlo
Victor Maruping
Rayno Nel
JJ Nell
Len Noort
Jean Pretorius
Dean Rossouw
Jeandré Roux
Neil Schoombee
Ian Smith
Frans Sisita
Theunis Truter
Did not play:
Thabo Chirwa
Wikus Davis
Kyle Ess
Deon Gouws
Johann Grundlingh
Carel Frederick Janse van Vuuren
John Lonergan
Vincent Maruping
Ian van Wyk
Jasper Wiese

Backs

Luke Cyster
Jesse du Toit
Christiaan Erasmus
Marius Grobler
Charlie Hitchcock
Henry Immelman
Dean Jacobs
Ali Mgijima
Lethole Mokoena
Johannes Nel
Duan Pretorius
Mosego Toolo
Naudé van Biljon
Arrie Vosloo
Did not play:
Heinrich Bitzi
Chad de Koker
Noël Marx
Johan Nel
Hanro Pretorius
Werner Rembold
Makgema Setlaba
Clinton Toua

Coach

Skillie Bester

))

Maties^[72]

Forwards

Wesley Adonis
Justin Benn
Lungelo Chonco
Craig Corbett
AJ de Klerk
Beyers de Villiers
Coenraad Fick
Neethling Gericke
Migael Grobler
Ian Groenewald
Marko Janse van Rensburg
Derick Linde
John-Hubert Meyer
Devon Nash
Niel Oelofse
Grant Prior
Wilhelm van der Sluys
Jacobus van der Merwe
Kobus van Dyk
Janco Venter
Did not play:
Human Carstens
Gareth Theunis de Bruin
Jacobus de Kock
Johan Roual de Villiers
Andreas Rufus Dercksen
Renier Ehlers
Athenkosi Gaqa
Liam Hendricks
Rees Keene
Freddie Kirsten
Boeta Kleinhans
Basil Liebenberg
Justin Moberly
GD Orlam
Tangeni Sindano Shatiwa
Willem Jacobus Smith
Attie Francois van Rensburg
Willem van Schalkwyk

Backs

Brandon Asher-Wood
Craig Barry
Bjorn Bernardo
Jamie Joseph
Kyle Leibrandt
JP Lewis
Koos Loubser
Remu Malan
Michael Muller
Jean Nel
Louis Nel
Ernst Stapelberg
Paul Streicher
Brandon Thomson
Christoff van Tonder
Did not play:
Louis Jordaan
Christopher James Keet
William Robin Keet
Jacquin Adrian Marthinus
Carlisle Nel
Ryan Oosthuizen
Jakobus Putter
Chris Smit
Chris Smith
Kyle Steyn
Jan Abraham Venter
Divan Visser
James Edward Vorster
Jason Worrall

Coach

Chris Rossouw

))

NMMU Madibaz^[73]

Forwards

Laurence Christie
Ivan-John du Preez
Arno Ebersohn
Wynand Grassmann
Rob Louw
Marzuq Maarman
Andisa Ntsila
Philip Odendaal
Brenden Olivier
Tyler Paul
Jody Reyneke
Steven-Floyd Robbeson
Elandré van der Merwe
Dane van der Westhuyzen
CJ Velleman
Warrick Venter
Stephan Zaayman
Did not play:
Cody Basson
Ruben Fourie
Kevin Kaba
Marius le Roux
Sintu Manjezi
Zaine Marx
Tyrone Rankin
Nic Roebeck

Backs

Enrico Acker
Tythan Adams
Ruan Allerston
Eben Barnard
Michael Bernardt
Jarryd Buys
Steven Hansel
Andile Jho
Creswin Joseph
Devon Lailvaux
Ivan Ludick
Khaya Molotana
Yamkela Ngam
Brian Skosana
Did not play:
Aya Dlepu
Luan Nieuwoudt
Juan Smit
Franswa Ueckermann
MC Venter
Lindelwe Zungu

Coach

David Maidza

))

NWU Pukke^[74]

Forwards

Wilmar Arnoldi
Molotsi Bouwer
Jaco Buys
Cayle Denner
Wian Fourie
John-Roy Jenkinson
Danie Jordaan
Armandt Liebenberg
Mogau Mabokela
Loftus Morrison
Marno Redelinghuys
Jeandré Rudolph
Joe Smith
Walt Steenkamp
Ruan Venter
Jacques Vermaak
Rhyk Welgemoed
Did not play:
Jaco Botha
Joshwine Cornelius
Funane Mabala
Mash Mafela
Lucky Ngcamu
PJ Uys

Backs

Rowayne Beukman
Myburgh Briers
Johan Deysel
Warren Gilbert
Dalen Goliath
Dillon Smit
Heinrich Smit
Rhyno Smith
Dean Stokes
Malherbe Swart
Marnus Tack
Johnny Welthagen
Juandré Williams
Percy Williams
Did not play:
Lucian Cupido
Tiaan Dorfling
Dries du Plooy
Arthur Festus
Sylvian Mahuza
Henko Marais
Alvino Montjies
Akhona Nela
Luther Obi
Adriaan Oosthuizen
Chriswill September

Coach

Robert du Preez

))

UCT Ikey Tigers^[75]

Forwards

Guy Alexander
Mike Botha
Joel Carew
Mike Kennedy
James Kilroe
Jason Klaasen
Jade Kriel
David Maasch
Robin Murray
Mark Prior
Chad Solomon
Luke Stringer
Digby Webb
Kyle Whyte
Tino Zakeyo
Msizi Zondi
Did not play:
Brad Bosman
Gareth Ehret
Sebastian Ferreira
Olwethu Hans
Matthew Jones
Aiden Monk
Aphiwe Qaba
Kiernan Allan Rabie
Duncan Saffy
Rushdie Salie
Alva Senderayi
Joshua John Smallbones
Devon Stone
Stuart William Stopforth
Nyasha Tarusenga
Samuel Theron
Keagan Timm

Backs

James Alexander
Tom Bednall
Paul Cohen
Ryan Dugmore
Dean Gericke
Nick Holton
Nate Nel
Khanyo Ngcukana
Brendan Rodgers
Dylan Sage
Guy Schwikkard
Warren Seals
Richard Stewart
Lihleli Xoli
Did not play:
Greg Alexander
Daniel Ben Keys Anderson
Robert Anderson
Suwi Chibale
Steven Cullingworth
Stefano de Gouveia
Paul Hendry
Bradley Janse van Rensburg
Huw Jones
Karl Brian Martin
Gianluca Salvador Rizzo
Sebastian Roodt
Jarryd Sage
Justin Scott
Joel Smith
Dylan-Lee Tidbury
Steve Wallace
Storm Michael Winter

Coach

Kevin Musikanth

))

UFS Shimlas^[76]

Forwards

Backs

Renier Botha
AJ Coertzen
JP Coetzee
Maphutha Dolo
Kay-Kay Hlongwane
Stephan Janse van Rensburg
Tertius Kruger
Nico Lee
Vuyani Maqina
Niel Marais
Marco Mason
Zee Mkhabela
Arthur Williams
Did not play:
Pieter-Steyn de Wet
Ludwig Erasmus
Tanaks Takudzwa Matsinde
Francois Pretorius

Coach

Franco Smith

))

| basestyle = UJ^[77]

Forwards

David Antonites
Wian Conradie
Nico du Plessis
Brandon Landsberg
Werner Lourens
Gareth Milasinovich
Etienne Oosthuizen
Dylan Peterson
Kobus Porter
Phanta Qinisile
Raeez Salie
Baksteen Snyman
Kyle van Dalen
Griffith van Wyk
Did not play:
Dillon Bakos
Steven Barber
Pieter Jansen
Jeremy Jordaan
Kyle Kruger
Ruan Macdonald
Tiaan Macdonald
Vernon Petersen
Achmad Salie
Victor Sekekete
Waldo Weideman

Backs

Ronald Brown
Jamie Campbell
Robert de Bruyn
Aphiwe Dyantyi
Chuma Faas
Jaco Fourie
Dominic Kroezen
Bradley Moolman
Hilton Mudariki
Andries Oosthuizen
Adrian Vermeulen
Did not play:
Kofi Appiah
JJ de Klerk
Kallie Erasmus
Selom Gavor
Thato Marobela
Divan Johannes Nel
Jacques Nel
Godfrey Ramaboea
Lukas van Zyl
PJ Walters

Coach

Skollie Janse van Rensburg

))

UP Tuks^[78]

Forwards

Backs

Riaan Britz
Dewald Human
JT Jackson
Jermaine Kleinsmith
Dan Kriel
Adrian Maebane
Duncan Matthews
Ryan Nell
Jacques Rossouw
Joshua Stander
Emile Temperman
Damian van Wyk
André Warner
Did not play:
Wesley Cupido
Carlo Engelbrecht
Andries Jacobus Kruger
Kefentse Mahlo
Ganfried May
JP Smith
Jade Stighling
Francois Tredoux
Leighton van Wyk
Impi Visser

Coach

Pote Human

))

Discipline

The following table contains all the cards handed out during the tournament:^[79]

Cards
Player	Team
Jeandré Rudolph	NWU Pukke	0	3
Andisa Ntsila	NMMU Madibaz	0	2
Brian Skosana	NMMU Madibaz	0	2
CJ Velleman	NMMU Madibaz	0	2
Tythan Adams	NMMU Madibaz	0	1
David Antonites	UJ	0	1
Wilmar Arnoldi	NWU Pukke	0	1
Gerard Baard	CUT Ixias	0	1
Tienie Burger	UFS Shimlas	0	1
Nico du Plessis	UJ	0	1
Ivan-John du Preez	NMMU Madibaz	0	1
Arno Ebersohn	NMMU Madibaz	0	1
Steven Hansel	NMMU Madibaz	0	1
Werner Lourens	UJ	0	1
Mogau Mabokela	NWU Pukke	0	1
Boetie Maketlo	CUT Ixias	0	1
Loftus Morrison	NWU Pukke	0	1
Duan Pretorius	CUT Ixias	0	1
Marno Redelinghuys	NWU Pukke	0	1
Dylan Sage	UCT Ikey Tigers	0	1
Frans Sisita	CUT Ixias	0	1
Rhyno Smith	NWU Pukke	0	1
Chad Solomon	UCT Ikey Tigers	0	1
Ernst Stapelberg	Maties	0	1
Mosego Toolo	CUT Ixias	0	1
Kyle van Dalen	UJ	0	1
Henco Venter	UFS Shimlas	0	1
Johnny Welthagen	NWU Pukke	0	1
Lihleli Xoli	UCT Ikey Tigers	0	1

* Legend: = Sent off, = Sin-binned

Dream Team

After the 2015 Varsity Cup, a Varsity Cup Dream Team was announced. This team would play against the South Africa Under-20s in Stellenbosch on 21 April 2015. The head coach of the champions UFS Shimlas, Franco Smith, was appointed as the coach of the side and UP Tuks lock Reniel Hugo was appointed as captain. Inny Radebe, who played for the 2015 Varsity Shield champions UKZN Impi was also named in the squad.

Dan Kriel and Jaco Visagie were originally selected in the 2015 Varsity Cup Dream Team, but subsequently replaced by Johan Deysel and Elandré Huggett respectively.

Varsity Cup Dream Team^[80]
Forwards		Irné Herbst • Elandré Huggett • Reniel Hugo • John-Roy Jenkinson • Wiaan Liebenberg • Nqoba Mxoli • Gerhard Olivier • Jeandré Rudolph • Joe Smith • Chad Solomon • Walt Steenkamp • Dayan van der Westhuizen • Henco Venter
Backs		Rowayne Beukman • Johan Deysel • Maphutha Dolo • JP Lewis • Zee Mkhabela • Inny Radebe • Dillon Smit • Rhyno Smith • Johnny Welthagen
Coach		Franco Smith

The Dream Team made the early running in the match, with two first-half tries – a penalty try and a try by full-back Rhyno Smith – giving them a 12–10 half-time lead over the South African Under-20s. Second-half tries by Dillon Smit and Elandré Huggett proved to not be enough, with the South African Under-20s running out 31–24 winners.

	21 April 2015	Varsity Cup Dream Team	24–31	South Africa Under-20	Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
	18:30	Try: penalty try 22' Rhyno Smith 38' Dillon Smit 59' Elandré Huggett 69' Con: Inny Radebe 23' (1/2) Rhyno Smith 60' (1/2) Cards: Dayan van der Westhuizen 65' to 74'	Scoreboard^[81]	Try: Daniël du Plessis 36' Jan van der Merwe 43' penalty try 65' Con: Ernst Stapelberg 37' (1/2) Brandon Thomson 66' (1/1) Pen: Ernst Stapelberg 40', 48' (2/2) Brandon Thomson 73', 76' (2/2) Cards: Jean-Luc du Preez 22' to 32'

Referees

The following referees officiated matches in the 2015 Varsity Cup:

Rodney Boneparte
Ben Crouse
Stephan Geldenhuys
Quinton Immelman
Cwengile Jadezweni
Jaco Kotze
Pro Legoete
Tahla Ntshakaza
Francois Pretorius
Jaco Pretorius
Oregopotse Rametsi
Archie Sehlako
Lourens van der Merwe
Marius van der Westhuizen

References

External links

Varsity Rugby

Varsity Cup

Men

Teams	CUT Ixias Maties NMU Madibaz NWU Eagles UCT Ikey Tigers UFS Shimlas UJ UP Tuks UWC Wits

Seasons	2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 ~~2021~~ 2022 2023 2024

Women

Teams	Maties UKZN Impi UJ UFH UP Tuks
Seasons	2023 2024

Varsity Shield

Teams	CPUT DUT Rhinos Rhodes TUT Vikings UFH Blues UKZN Impi WSU All Blacks

Seasons	2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 ~~2020~~ 2021 2022 2023 2024

Young Guns

Seasons	2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2022 2023 2024

Res Rugby

Seasons	2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Rugby union in South Africa

Governing body

South African Rugby Union

National teams

Men's	Springboks 'A' 7's Amateurs U-21 U-20 Schoolboys
Women's	Women's 7's

Competitions

International	South Africa at the Rugby World Cup World Rugby Sevens Series South Africa Sevens South Africa Women's Sevens World Rugby U20 Championship United Rugby Championship Super Rugby (no longer involved)
Provincial	Currie Cup Rugby Challenge
Club	Gold Cup Varsity Rugby
Women's clubs	Women's Premier Division
Youth rugby	Craven Week
Defunct	Vodacom Cup

Competition rules and information

Teams

Standings

Round-by-round

Fixtures

Round one

Round two

Round three

Round four

Round five

Round six

Round seven

Semi-finals

Final

Honours

Players

Player statistics

Squad lists

Discipline

Dream Team

Referees

See also

References

External links